Tigaiga: Festival Tradition, Nature and Old Paths

During the Living Nativity, more than 300 residents transform Tigaiga into ancient Palestine for one day. The reenactment has existed for more than forty years and takes place on 24 December. If you organise Tigaiga by theme, festival tradition, architectural history, water facilities, nature and route layout stand alongside one another.

Culture

The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción had already been built on the land of Tigaiga when Marciana Grimón endowed it with thirty silver reales in November 1617. The chapel is a single-nave building with a presbytery and attached ancillary rooms. It preserves an anonymous 18th-century image of the Immaculate Conception.

The Lavaderos de Tigaiga are also part of the town’s traditional history. In 1701, they were recognised by the island Cabildo as serving the public good. An old spring that emerged at the foot of a barbuzano tree led to the diversion and distribution of water into basins, troughs and washing areas at the Lavaderos. After a period of decline, the Lavaderos de Tigaiga were restored and improved.

The Romería de San Antonio Abad in Tigaiga takes place on the Sunday closest to 17 January. You can view the cultural points through architecture, visual art, water engineering and the festival calendar as distinct focal areas.

Nature

The Los Campeches, Tigaiga and Ruiz Protected Landscape Area forms a geographical and landscape unit comprising the three natural areas of Los Campeches, Tigaiga and Ruiz. The area has high biodiversity of endemic species, with rock communities on the cliffs, Cardonal-Tabaibal vegetation at lower elevations, and Fayal-Brezal and remnants of laurel forest at middle elevations.

The protected landscape area is designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA). The area around the square in Tigaiga is an interesting observation point for numerous species. For nature observation, vegetation zones, rocky areas and the observation point can be set alongside one another as different thematic focal areas.

Paths

Ruta 040 runs via the Camino de las Piedras to Calle Tigaiga and begins at El Aserradero by ascending along the old Camino de las Vueltas. A section of Ruta 040 on the Camino de las Vueltas runs for more than one kilometre uphill along a winding, paved path to the TF-342.

The Camino de las Vueltas is an old path from the pre-Hispanic era that connected the Menceyates of Icode and Taoro. Information on the starting point, length, surface and incline helps you compare the route options according to your preferred focus.

Geographical Location

When travelling from Puerto de la Cruz to Tigaiga, the recommended turn-off is after the motorway tunnel near the San Vicente district; the route then continues via Realejo Bajo to Tigaiga.

When searching for a holiday apartment in Tigaiga, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies. The information on the offer pages complements your priorities for culture, nature and paths and provides a clear framework for planning your trip.

Other places: Icod El Alto, Llanadas, Palo Blanco, Cruz Santa

For the higher-level travel overview: Los Realejos.